Overview
"Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe Garcia McCall is a novel about Odilia and her four sisters, who embark on a magical and perilous journey to return a dead man to his family in Mexico. The story blends elements of Mexican folklore, sisterhood, and a coming-of-age adventure inspired by the Odyssey.
Main Characters and Themes
- Odilia is the eldest sister, leading her four younger sisters on the journey.
- The sisters are compared to Odysseus for their cleverness and courage.
- The story centers on themes of sisterhood and maternal love.
- The journey is both a literal return of a deceased man and a personal odyssey for the sisters.
Journey and Magical Elements
- The sisters discover a dead man and resolve to return him to his family in Mexico.
- They receive supernatural aid from the ghostly La Llorona, who assists them through a magical earring.
- Their travels involve facing legendary creatures and obstacles from Mexican folklore, including a witch, a warlock, half-human barn owls, and a chupacabras.
Symbolism and Cultural Context
- The novel celebrates Mexican American heritage and folklore.
- It is a retelling of "The Odyssey" through a contemporary Mexican American lens.
- The mariposas (butterflies) symbolize transformation and guidance.
Publishing Information
- Published by Tu Books, an imprint of Lee & Low Books.
- Targeted at readers aged 12 and up.
- Also available as an e-book.